In Northampton, Massachusetts, public trash receptacles are emptied through a contract with a commercial trash collector called, “Pedal People.”

They also have about 700 residential customers. They use eco-friendly bicycle trailers for the hauling. Their business model could be scaled down and/or adapted to Middlesboro and might be a creative response to the Canal trash issues.

The co-owner is from Bell County, went to Middlesboro High School, and would be glad to share ideas with Middlesboro Main Street and other interested parties. Find them at pedalpeople.coop.

Jim Woodring